UK Navy Intercepts Russian Corvette and Tanker as Moscow Steps up Naval Activity

In this undated aerial photo released by the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence, HMS Severn, lower section, is seen tracking the Russian corvette RFN Stoikiy off the UK coast. United Kingdom Ministry of Defence via APLONDON—A U.K. patrol ship has intercepted a Russian corvette and a tanker after shadowing them through the English Channel, the Defense Ministry said Sunday, adding that Russian naval activity around U.K. waters had increased by 30 percent over the past two years.With the past two weeks, the patrol ship HMS Severn intercepted the Russian corvette RFN Stoikiy and tanker Yelnya as they sailed through the English Channel, the ministry said. The Severn eventually handed over monitoring duties to an unidentified NATO ally off the coast of Brittany.